KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2011 -- The Indiana National Guard's 4-19th Agribusiness Development Team and Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team examined more than 100 boys and girls at an orphanage in Khowst City Oct. 1.
During the visit, U.S. service members worked with Khavar Amiri, the Khowst director of Woman's Affairs, as well as local doctors and staff to check vitals, distribute supplies to the orphans and put some faith back into the community.
Medical and school supplies, stuffed animals, hygiene products, clothes and hats sent from the United States were distributed to the children by medical staff and teachers.
The primary female provider during the mission, Staff Sgt. Cory Hasik, an ADT medic, took vitals from the girls at the orphanage and provided vitamins and cough syrup.
"It seemed like a great opportunity to help," said Hasik. "With so many under-privileged children, it's understandable them wanting so much, because they have nothing."
Sgt. 1st Class Trixie Coffman, a personnel and administration facilitator with the ADT, demonstrated personal hygiene to the girls during her distribution of hygiene products during the visit.
"I was very excited to see the kids because our children back in the United States don't want for anything," Coffman said. "Being able to give back to the kids was real important to her."
While on the mission, Sgt. Dessislava Pashova, an ADT medic, assessed and treated medical conditions of more than 50 girls and commented on her experience at the orphanage.
"I was excited to have a medically focused mission," she said. "You get to help out and actually see that you're making a difference."
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